DUBAI: Ever wondered how to make a bomb at home, what to pack for a jihad or how to communicate in encrypted messages?

A new English-language Al-Qaeda magazine has the answers.

The first edition of Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula`s (AQAP) Inspire magazine was released on Sunday, according to the SITE monitoring service, which provided the full text of the 67-page online publication.

With article titles like, "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom" by the "The AQ Chef", or a packing list included in "What to Expect in Jihad", parts of the magazine have a friendly if extremist scouting manual feel.

But despite the tone, its intent is very literally deadly serious.

The "Make a Bomb" article notes that a device made in "one or two days could be ready to kill at least ten people", while one made in a month "could kill tens of people".

The article, which addresses "Muslims in America and Europe", then details the construction of an explosive device using sugar, crushed match heads, a pipe, a Christmas tree-type light, a battery and a clock.

The aim, according to "The AQ Chef" is "conveying to you our military training right into your kitchen, to relieve you of the difficulty of travelling to us".

The instructions appear in a section entitled "Open Source Jihad", which is described as "a manual for those who loath the tyrants".

"What to Expect in Jihad" offers advice for those who decide to take the fight abroad.

"When coming to any land of jihad, it is important to be able to speak the local language fluently," the article advises.

It also suggests that would-be mujahideen (holy warriors) bring a friend with them, and that they learn as much as possible about local culture before travelling.

The article also offers packing advice, saying that, "When on jihad, one has to bear in mind that they will have to pack light."

It goes on to recommend that mujahideen bring a "well-built backpack", several pairs of weather-appropriate clothes, "body-cleansing items" and "flexible boots".

Items such as computers and MP3 players can also be brought along. The article warns, however, that cell phones with SIM cards in place can be "dangerous", and, along with cameras, should not be used without permission.

Religious books make up most of the section on reading material to bring.

In another article, the magazine provides instructions on sending and receiving encrypted messages using a computer programme called "Asrar al-Mujahideen", or Secrets of the Mujahideen.

"Spies are actively paying attention to... emails, especially if you are known to be jihadi-minded," the article says. Thus, the programme is a better option.

It also notes that "the enemy" has created a knock-off Asrar programme meant to monitor jihadi correspondence, and advises users to perform an authenticity check.

BDST: 0949 HRS, 12 July 2010